Optimizing Outcomes in Urological Surgery: Postoperative Care.

Introduction: Understanding best practices in perioperative care is critical for quality of care for our urology patients. We compiled a single, concise resource that provides recommendations for optimizing postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing urological surgery.

Methods: Optimal postoperative care includes minimizing complications, optimizing recovery and improving patient outcomes. The assembled White Paper multidisciplinary writing team included experts in a number of different areas (urologists, nurses, anesthesiologists) to address a comprehensive set of topics that urological providers face when caring for postoperative patients. This article provides a summary of key elements to optimize postoperative care in adult urological surgery, including in-hospital considerations, transition/discharge, and followup and surveillance.

Results: In-hospital postoperative considerations include checklists, handoffs for safe transitions from the anesthesia to surgical team, level of care planning and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS®). Embedded in ERAS are postoperative nutrition, mobilization, wound care, judicious use of catheters and drains, and postoperative medications and transfusions. As the patient transitions to the outpatient setting, the urologist must provide clear and readable postoperative education, which includes medication management and coordinated followup with primary care providers and home health as needed. Finally, followup visits should be carefully considered using innovative methods such as telehealth and patient reported outcomes to elevate postoperative and long-term care.

Conclusions: This article summarizes postoperative factors that may impact surgical outcomes in urology. By understanding and applying best practices for postoperative care, urologists can optimize the quality of care for their patients.